Brooks Reports: Local Bridge, Road to Be Named in Honor of Area Veterans

Posted on Dec 27, 2017

HARRISBURG – Senator Michele Brooks is pleased to announce that the governor has signed legislation into law that was advanced through the House and Senate to name a bridge spanning a portion of College Avenue in Mercer County as the “Greenville Veterans Memorial Bridge” and a section of State Route 18 in West Fallowfield Township, Crawford County, as the “Staff Sergeant James Douglas Mowris Memorial Highway.”

The bill was signed into law on Dec. 22 to become Act 73 of 2017.

The bridge in Mercer County crosses the Little Shenango River in Greenville Borough, near Thiel College. Sen. Brooks offered the amendment to name the bridge, after members of the Greenville VFW approached her and asked for this special designation.

“It is such an honor for me to be able to fulfill the wishes of the Greenville VFW, the American Legion and the veterans we owe so much to. It touches all of our hearts here at home when we join the members of the VFW, American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary as they stop their parade on this bridge every Memorial Day to float a wreath in the water and pay tribute to those heroes who never came home.”

The language saluting Staff Sergeant Mowris was advanced by Rep. Parke Wentling in the House and Sen. Brooks in the Senate after the Mowris family contacted area legislators.

“It is with the deepest gratitude that we salute the heroes who have sacrificed so much. With the formal naming of this bridge and this stretch of highway, the men and women who gave everything in defense of freedom will be remembered in a way that lasts long after the Memorial Day wreath has vanished down the river, and generations to come will know of Sgt. Mowris’s courageous life.”

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Mowris was killed on January 29, 2004 at the age of 37 while trying to clear an ammunitions and weapons cache in Afghanistan.

“Every time someone travels over this bridge or on this road, they will be reminded of the veterans who kept this land free and safe.”